Ohio governor appoints state health, EPA directors

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) – Ohio Gov. John Kasich (KAY’-sik) says the interim director of the state’s Environmental Protection Agency now has the job.

Kasich appointed Craig Butler as the agency’s director on Friday. He has been in the role since early January.

Butler was previously the administration’s senior policy adviser on environmental, energy, public utility and agricultural issues. He also worked as district director of the Ohio EPA’s central district and southeast district offices. He replaces Scott Nally, who resigned last month.

Kasich also has tapped a lawyer as the interim director of the Ohio Department of Health. Lance Himes has been an attorney with the department for more than 10 years. He has been its general counsel since 2011.